Advisors Always Have The Answers… When There Are Advisors

Sweet Husband has switched teaching positions this year, and one of his new students had this direction on his learning targets for the year. Literally, the kid’s learning target is to learn how to start effectively answering “Wh-” questions. It got me thinking about the different questions I am asked when I am in the company of other CTSO advisors.

We are an interesting bunch, and I love being in that professional community. The problem, that keeps getting worse and worse, is the attrition of CTSO advisors. This means that every single year, there are at least a dozen new advisers at our state conferences—and we are already a small state! I try to reach out to those newcomers with a friendly introduction, and every time I do, I am bombarded with “Wh-” questions. 

So, here are some of my answers to those important questions. I’d love to hear some of your answers in the comments below!

Answering “Wh-” Questions:
WHO is your role model?

It saddens me when I have teenagers tell me that they are their own role model.

It is a fairly common answer nowadays to an entry question I’ve asked for years. That response always makes me think “You don’t know how much you don’t know”! To me, it is a clear indicator that the student is not involved in enough activities. It is important to have people that we not only look up to, but can look to when we have questions we need answered. I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with incredible advisors through the years in different CTSO’s and other student organizations.

So what are my answers…let’s see…

Personal

I wish you could all know Sweet Husband. He is everything I’m not: Sweet, kind, patient, thoughtful, creative, fabulous.

In the 42 years I’ve known him (not a typo) he has never failed to impress me with his morals, judgment, ethics, and heart. He is the first person I turn to for advice or suggestions, and he is always there for me. I’m extremely fortunate to have him in my life, and the fact that he is also an educator means he is that much more helpful to me on a professional level.

Professional

Alas, I can’t use Sweet Husband again, but I would if I could!

Over the decades I’ve had several colleagues that have impressed me with their knowledge of content, ability to deliver information, and proficiency with developing relationships with students. Those are the three pillars that I look for in professional educators, and that I strive to achieve myself. Thinking of a colleague in (Livingston) New Jersey, and two in (Las Vegas) Nevada, I was struck by not only their professionalism, but by their desire to be inclusive of new people.

These educators reached out to me when I was new, and helped me become the adviser I am today. 

Celebrity

Who would you love to have lunch with? That’s kind of my barometer for celebrities that I feel could impact my real life.

While I could watch Chris Pratt or Kurt Russell read the newspaper, there is one person with whom I’d love to have an in depth conversation about impacting the lives of young adults: Oprah. Her origin story is nothing short of miraculous, and I’d love to pick her brain about how to help students—particularly young women—overcome trauma to create their best lives. 

Answering “Wh-” Questions:
WHAT Is Your Advice For First-Timers?

We just finished our few weeks of school, and in two weeks we have our first CTSO Advisor Workshop. What would I tell people at this stage of the school year…let’s see…

Brand new teachers

Build relationships through communication. Many people think being strict is the solution to the first week of school, or drowning kids in homework to keep them compliant is the answer. Nope.

It’s getting them to buy-in to YOU. Not your subject matter. YOU. You can do this starting on the very first day by greeting every kid at the door with a smile and a word of hello. Follow that up with a well-planned first day that explains exactly what you are doing—and why. By explaining the need for a seating chart so I can learn their names faster, and in case of a substitute teacher, students recognize that my seating chart isn’t punitive, and has no negative connotation. It might sound like a small thing, but it means the world to your new students. 

Brand new to CTSOs

Understand the past and harness the future.

If you are taking over an existing club, it is important that you respect the organizational structure that came before you—but don’t be handcuffed to it. You need to make it your own by harnessing the imaginations and excitement of the students who will be in the organization. If you are starting the club yourself, harness the future of your members by quickly finding and appointing a small leadership team to build your club norms. I’ve said a million times through the years that “this isn’t the Patti Buono show”, and you need to have that same attitude. The organization needs to reflect the desires and abilities of your members.

So, this year you should start small. But, please, start. The kids deserve an excited advisor who is willing to try new things. 

Answering “Wh-” Questions:
WHEN Should You Say “That’s Too Much”?

This is easy to write and hard to do. Educators are famous for doing too much, devoting too much time, giving too much personal money and forgetting their own mental and physical health. 

It is a job. Yes, it’s our passion and our vocation. But it is still just a job.

It is not your real life.

When you find yourself sacrificing too much of yourself, your time, your money, your energy, to the organization, it’s time to step back. You can only be your best for students when you are feeling your best mentally and physically. Don’t sacrifice yourself or your family. Nothing is worth that.

Answering “Wh-” Questions:
WHERE can you take these kids to inspire them?

There are different places with the power to inspire your students to achieve their dreams and lead their best lives:

YOUR CLASSROOM…

…should reflect only positive messages. Fill your walls with uplifting words, pictures of students at CTSO events, and plaques that your chapter has won. It all starts with my desk, which is covered in little gifts from kids, and pictures of my family. Your class needs to be a happy place.

GUEST SPEAKERS

…can transport students anywhere in your city. In addition to having guest speakers come to your classroom, look into Zoom meetings, where your guest speakers can give a virtual tour of their office, and can include multiple employees in the conversation.

FIELD TRIPS

…are an integral part of your organization. Maybe you can’t do the Disney Leadership Academy (although I highly recommend), but I guarantee there is a bakery or ice cream shop in the area you can walk to that will not only give a tour, but a free sample! Get the kids outside of the building, and they will learn much more about the workplace than any video or lecture you can deliver.

CTSO CONFERENCES

…are the pinnacle of the year for your student organization. Multi-night events, nothing is more potentially life-changing than taking kids to a state conference. Start fundraising now, and do whatever you need to do to get permission to take students to conferences.

Answering “Wh-” Questions:
What’s Your “WHY”?

I started in DECA in 1979. I was the first person in my small town to ever qualify for nationals, and I had to appear before the Board of Education to petition them to pay for the conference. Going to New Orleans, LA, changed my life, and has led me to where I am right now—still a business education teacher advising FBLA and DECA. When we went to nationals, my advisor came with me. He left his wife and a newborn baby to travel from New Jersey to Louisiana for a week so I could have that experience.

That is my “Why”.

Somebody did it for me, so I will do it for them. For as long as I can.

It really is that easy. How about you? 

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR

Wow, thank you for reading about answering “wh-” questions!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out using technology for your CTSO, here, and the many lessons from the 4th of July, here! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite lesson of mine was! How’s your student organization operating? What are your freshman orientation tips?

Feel free to contact me or leave a COMMENT with anything you would like to hear more about! Or reach out with any unrelated questions, comments, concerns, or random outbursts of excitement by clicking here.